Franck, C: Prélude, Choral et Fugue, M21

Everyone attaches particular importance to the music for their wedding ceremony. It is, after all, the key ingredient essential for intensifying the emotional level of a very special day which is to be shared not only by the happy couple but also with all their guests. Choosing the music for one’s wedding is an intimate thing, a second declaration of love between bride and groom. But it is also a bid to express and convey to the young couple’s nearest and dearest, who will be present with them at the wedding, all those feelings of joy and love which cannot be expressed by a mere exchange of "I do’s" and of rings.

And so, whatever your musical tastes and temperament and no matter how you choose to say "I love you" or "I do", you’ll find music to suit you on this double album: from favourite classics to rare gems of the repertoire, from music for festive occasions to more intimate, soulful and reflective melodies, this compilation brings together the most beautiful masterpieces to help you make your wedding an occasion of pure emotion and shared happiness and ensure that you never forget the most beautiful day of your life.

Both Franck and Jongen were born in Liège, which for centuries has been at the geographical, cultural and historical crossroads of Germanic and Latin cultures. This symbiosis was an essential element in the highly individual styles of both composers. Hans Ryckelynck regularly gives recitals in Belgium. His first solo recording (Flanders Fields Vol.27, PH92027 Jongen et al) was “CD of the week” on Belgian radio. “His playing is expressive, warm and intelligent…”

A landmark recording of Franck's near-complete piano works by Jörg Demus at the height of his powers in the 1970s.

Performances of great finesse, perfectly suited to the wonderful harmonic language of this beautiful romantic music.

This CD contains the CD premiere of the transcription for piano solo of the Franck violin sonata, made by Alfred Cortot, a fascinating pianistic tour de force, the new pianistic textures giving a special sonority to the unique harmonies of this master piece. The Prélude, fugue et variation is originally an organ work, and is transcribed for piano by the famous pianist Harold Bauer. The Prélude, chorale et fugue is Franck’s pianistic pièce de résistance, although also here the influence of Franck the organist is never far away. An excellent new recording by Italian pianist Domenico Codispoti, playing with a beautiful blend of grandeur and intimacy, and a wonderful transparency (listen to the canonic 4-th movement of the violin sonata!).

Richter was one of the greatest exponents of the Russian Piano School and his Ravel and Grieg interpretations are considered among the finest ever made. He said of the performer “He shouldn’t dominate the music, but should dissolve into it.”

Producer and Restoration Engineer: Ward Marston

Following his highly acclaimed award-winning debut album on Naïve, Bertrand Chamayou collaborates with one of Europe’s leading symphony orchestras, the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, to record solo and orchestral works by César Franck.

Fuelled by the desire to bring César Franck’s music out of obscurity, Bertrand Chamayou here demonstrates wonderfully why Franck’s music should be an essential element in the concerto repertory of a virtuoso pianist. The programme here features the four great works Franck wrote for the piano – each one, rarely recorded. Though ‘Prélude, choral et fugue’ and ‘Variations Symphoniques’ appear frequently in concert programmes, the other works recorded here are less well-known. ‘Prélude, aria et final’ is a genuine neglected masterpiece. Chamayou states in his booklet note that “It is an example of the quintessence of Franck’s art, a virtually perfect work”.

The scintillating symphonic poem, Les Dijnns, follows and can be said to clearly affirm Franck’s status as the direct successor of Liszt. The recording ends with ‘Prélude, fugue et variation’ - a work that possesses undeniable charm and melodic grace that has excited envy among pianists. Chamayou opts to perform the rare and delightful salon arrangement by the composer himself.

Recorded in 2008.

Muza Rubackyte is a Lithuanian pianist living in Paris. She has made many recordings for the Lyrinx label, including an acclaimed set of Liszt, of which the BBC Music Magazine wrote, ‘Rubackyte’s Annees de Pelerinage rises to the top of this cycle’s shortlist.’ This month sees her debut on Brilliant Classics, in two albums of music by César Franck. Franck's dense, chromatic harmonies and incense-laden melodies present unique challenges to pianists.